The Adair County Health Department unexpectedly cut its annual drive-through flu clinic short Thursday afternoon due to a lightning threat in the area.

The clinic began as scheduled at 1 p.m. and ran until 4:15. In an email to the Daily Express, ACHD Administrator Jim LeBaron said the National Weather Service in Kansas City told department officials a lightning threat existed in the area until after 6 p.m.

"Based on the safety of our staff and volunteers, I made the decision to end the event," LeBaron wrote.

The department hosts the annual drive-through clinic as a practice run in the event it would ever need to provide mass vaccinations in a disaster situation.

With the help of 50 volunteers, the department had administered 800 shots before canceling the remainder of the event.

Adair County residents were eligible to receive free flu vaccinations at the annual event and can still receive shots during upcoming vaccination clinics that will be hosted at the ACHD office.

Other clinics will be from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Adair County Health Department, located at 1001 S. Jamison St., in Kirksville, on the following dates: Oct. 5, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 25, 26, 29 and 31.